What percentage of the books you’ve read this year have been nonfiction? Did you have a favorite?
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I’m shocked to see that only 6% of my reading this year was nonfiction. I’m going to have to correct that in 2026!
I tend to prefer history, so The Wager by David Grann is probably my top pick, followed by The Invention of Charlotte Brontë by Graham Watson.
10% of my books are non-fiction this year, but they are disproportionately represented among my favorite 10 books for the year (*). Here are my six non-fiction favorites - loved them for different reasons. Some are new books, others are older, two are quiet marvels, while others are thought-provoking but all will stay with me:
The Place of Tides (James Rebanks) *
Summers in Squid Tickle: A Newfoundland Odyssey (Robert Finch) *
Between the World and Me (Ta-Nehisi Coates) *
Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood and Their Reclamation of Groundbreaking History (Karen Valby)
On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service (Dr. Anthony Fauci)
Madame Fourcade’s Secret War (Lynne Olson)*
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Thanks for the list, @Gabi_J! The only one on it I’ve even heard of is Swans of Harlem. I was eyeing that when it came out but it’s since dropped off my radar.
I keep hearing good things about Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green, so I’m trying to get to that one, too.
Very little nonfiction I must admit. Seems I read a biography, oh yes, Prince Harry’s. Was it titled, The Spare?**
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John Green’s audiobook just popped up on my Libby today. Have been waiting for Everything is Tuberculosis for awhile. Supposed to be very good.
30% of the 43 books I’ve read this year have been nonfiction. I actually prefer nonfiction, especially history, but this has been such a busy year that I haven’t been able to read as many books and most of the books I have read have been driven by the two book clubs I belong to. My book clubs very rarely make a nonfiction selection.
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Everything Is Tuberculosis is outstanding. It is extremely well researched and the author has spent significant amounts of time in countries with high TB rates and with organizations working to eradicate it. His empathy shines through for those who have it and for those whose living conditions, which they cannot control, exponentially increase their risk of contracting the disease. This line in the book blew me away, “We live in between what we choose and what is chosen for us.”
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15% of my books have been nonfiction. My favorites were Who is Government? and The Carpool Detectives. The Carpool Detectives is a true account of some moms who get together and solve a cold case. I couldn’t put it down.
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very few. I prefer fiction - especially with the way our world is evolving.